A walk among the lakes of Monticchio

Here we are in Melfi and the Vulture area. The Vulture is an ancient extinct volcano, and among its forests there are the Monticchio lakes and the Abbey of Saint Michael Archangel perched on the mountain side.

In this territory one of the finest red wines of Italy, Aglianico, is produced. We will visit an old wine cellar but I assure you we will not just visit, but prepare your wine glasses!

Following the Unification of Italy in 1861, this land was festering with robbers, hard to tell whether heroes or bandits, and there were even the lady brigands, brave, aggressive women…. women of the south!

Melfi, a rather special place for me because here my father was born. It is surrounded by ancient walls; in its imposing castle in 1231, the Emperor Frederick II, an extraordinarily charming and cultured man, promulgated the famous Constitutiones Augustales, the first series of laws that regulated common life. His court was a crossroad for Greek, Latin and Germanic cultures and for the Arab and Hebrew cultures as well.

Who knows if it’s really true that the still visible stone nest is that of his personal falcon?

And if you’re already enjoying the wonderful adventures that await you in Puglia and Basilicata…

Matera with… Mariangela!

Hello, I’m Mariangela Catalani, born in Matera but I live in Florence, where in 2002 I opened my own bed and breakfast, Stanze di Santa Croce, a pretty and charming house in the historical center of the Tuscan capital. Here I also hold classes in Mediterranean cuisine… cooking is one of my passions! Florence and Matera are two unique cities, and both are part of me now. Currently I feel a great longing to find a stronger connection with my roots (maybe due to the passing years?!) and so I decided to show you and help you to discover the beauty of the South of Italy. Italy is splendid and as we all know travelling opens up the mind and the heart. An authentic and unforgettable experience awaits you.Contact me now…